VB Films Productions’ Khufiya is a spy thriller based on Amar Bhushan’s espionage novel Escape To Nowhere.
Krishna Mehra (Tabu) is a RAW officer who is assigned the job of tracking down the mole in RAW, who is selling India’s defence secrets. Krishna and her boss, Jeev (Ashish Vidyarthi), are convinced that Ravi Mohan (Ali Fazal) id the mole, and his wife, Charu (Wamiqa Gabbi), is his partner in crime. Ravi flees the country and seeks refuge in the US, taking his son and mother along. Charu longs to have her son back. Krishna uses Charu’s longing to be with her son, to train her and sends her to the US.
The mission of Krishna Mehra is also a personal one for her because she needs to avenge the murder of her lover. Does Krishna succeed in avenging the murder and in bringing Ravi Mohan to book? Who was her lover and how was the lover killed? What happens to Ravi Mohan and Charu?
Rohan Narula and Vishal Bhardwaj have written an interesting and engaging screenplay but which gets confusing at times. The lesbian angle looks a bit contrived. Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, the drama manages to entertain. Vishal Bhardwaj’s dialogues are impressive.
Tabu shines in the role of RAW officer Krishna Mehra. She plays the character with perfect understanding and all the conviction at her command. Ali Fazal is good as Ravi Mohan. Wamiqa Gabbi creates a fine impression in the role of Charu. Ashish Vidyarthi leaves a mark as Jeev. Atul Kulkarni is lovely as Krishna’s ex-husband, Shashank Mehra. Navnindra Behl lends excellent support as Ravi Mohan’s mother. Azmeri Haque Badhon has her moments as Heena Rehman. Shataf Figar is alright as Brigadier Saqlain Mirza. Alexx O’Nell is good as Dr. David White. Lalit Parimoo (as the home minister), Rahul Vohra (as Wasan Shet), Sameer Deshpande (as the doctor), Vijayant Kohli (as Hardik Ahuja), Shashi Bhushan (as Michael), Disney James (as Kutty George), Archana Kelkar (as Jeev’s wife), Monica Rae (as Dr. David White’s wife) and Rosabelle Folk (as Dr. David White’s daughter, Rose) are adequate. Meet Vora leaves a fine impression in the role of Krishna Mehra’s son, Vikram.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction is very good. His music is appealing. Lyrics (by Gulzar, Sant Rahim and Sant Kabir) are weighty. Background music adds well to the drama. Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi’s cinematography is excellent. Abid T.P.’s production designing and Melanie Raevn Brasch’s art direction are lovely. A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is crisp.
On the whole, Khufiya is a fair entertainer.
Released on 5-10-’23 on Netflix.